Some Fun on the Side

I have been riding since I was 8 – and although I did some show jumping and cross country work in my teenage years, I was always more interested in doing things a bit differently – loved hacking and covering distance – going on long trails was always welcome! In the Uk, I spent a few years riding for a cavalry regiment for the English Civil War Society – swashing my sword and firing carabines from horseback was by far much more interesting!

at the battle

I have tried some horseback archery and Roman riding with a group Comitatus – great fun!

doesnt show, but have just thrown a plumbata at a poor bloke with a big shield…

Nowadays I mostly hunt in Devon and Somerset, riding lovely thoroughbred horses blessed with amazing stamina – going up and down those hills there for 6-7 hours sometimes is by no means a mean feat!

at the meet – immaculately turned out and clean. 7 hours later, at the end of the day – not so much…

But I have always wanted to give a side saddle a go – to canter through the fields as a real lady would, all style and elegance. Well, in the recent years SS seems to have been enjoying a come back – and so an opportunity arose one winter, a few years ago, when I was introduced to Michelle who hunts sidesaddle on Exmoor.

Michelle on her Joseph, all elegance – and me on Zeberdee, warmly wrapped up agains one of the coldest winds ever – more of a wild west hussy than a lady…!

The first lesson went well, and I rode a few times under Michelle’s tutelage – but alas, it turned out to be pure torture! my right knee was in agony after about 20 minutes. and so I thought that my wonky knees were not really designed for side saddle. I didnt know much about it then and it wasnt till I met Becca Holland, currely working at Audley End House, who suggested that maybe the saddle was just too short for me. Michelle is petite – me – not so much!

the first time…

Spirits were raised and i was determined to give it another go. As i just got engaged at that time, i wanted to ride side saddle after the ceremony – so I also had another excuse to learn the skill!

The first lesson was a success – the saddle was bigger and I was really comfortable in it – no knee problems! The mount, lovely, grumpy Henry, was gentle and understanding, and Becca is simply a superb teacher…

still a bit insecure…

I also discovered that turning to your left can end up badly – my first fall was even captured on the camera ( almost, before hubby turned it off and rushed to rescue – unnecessarily asmy bowler hat was made of sturdy stuff an survived the impact… )video here .

but after a few more tips, I was much more confident and the canter/trot transitions were coming along nicely

yupee! cantering on a very sleepy Henry, it seems…

After that lesson weather worsened and all I was able to do is to plod around on the frozen grounds, modeling my growing collection of habits.

Here at a show and tell event, sporting a 1785 riding habit in wool – double wool vest , wool skirt and jackets meant I was not frozen!

out in style… with becca keeping an eye over me:-)

Audley End in its wintery glory

and a view of the habit, getting ready in the stables:-)

And another one, this time 1910 habit…

wool habit and lovely Jack at the ready

close up of the habit

But then the spring came and we started training more – and after a few more lessons, and no more falls, I was allowed to go outside and play in a bigger field.

Soon it was time to try something else – jumping! and to make sure I do it properly i was asked to do it without a bridle…video of the first very awkward jump here

bridless…

As my jumping progressed, we started to add toys – at one lesson i did a lot of jumping and throwing speers at boars – at another i was piercing balloons with a sabre – endless fun!

our toys…

In the end, i was able to do Becca’s favourite trick – jumping over a table and snatchign a glass of champagne while flying over – here is my practice run!

table…

We also included a dress rehearsal before my wedding – just making sure if the Victorian undergarments worked. they did – though I must say we naver had so much audience as when doing the dress rehearsal training!

and a bit more ladylike trot around…

Alas for my wedding henry had an injured tendon, so I was using one of the hunters – poor boy had a saddle only once before, but luckily it fitted, and despite the owner’s fretting we were able to canter away just after the ceremony! vids here and here

cantering away, with my new husband!

Since then another habit was made… this time 1885, in blue wool, with elaborate frogging

a new habit and a new boy – Jimmy!

We have also had the pleasure to witness the first side saddle point to point since 1921 – a few piccies here…

Becca flying over the fences on a borrowed pony

the winner, Susan Oakes and Lizzie Harris – not competetive at all… 🙂

This spring i hope to continue the training so that next season I am able to do some hunting aside – fingers crossed.

10 thoughts on “Some Fun on the Side”

Gorgeous!
Will you do me the honor of checking out my website:http://www.hippik-hippique.com
We are purveyors of Equestrian Art, Curiosities and Unusual Habits.
Based in Central Kentucky, we make custom made riding habits, hand-carved whips, and more!

it is just as dangerous as normal riding, nowadays – though i feel saver jumping in side saddle! mounting – help is always welcome, though it is possible to get on without help – in moder stuff, in skirts, it is rather tricky!